Trump convenes Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks in Washington D.C.
In a significant development, Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed a peace agreement, marking an end to over three decades of conflict. The agreement, brokered by the US under President Donald Trump, was finalized in August 2025 and has far-reaching implications for the region and beyond.
The peace agreement commits both parties to a permanent cessation of hostilities, mutual respect for sovereignty, and the establishment of full diplomatic and trade relations. It also envisions the dismantling of the OSCE Minsk Group, which had mediated the conflict for decades without success, and includes provisions for a strategic transit corridor called the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP) that will connect Azerbaijani territories through Armenia with U.S. special development rights granted in a corridor region.
Key details of the agreement include:
- The agreement ended Azerbaijan’s full control of Nagorno-Karabakh by 2023 and the displacement of the Armenian population there.
- The treaty establishes peaceful inter-state relations, placing emphasis on good-neighborliness and regional stability based on international law principles.
- The TRIPP corridor involves U.S. exclusive development rights for 99 years to build rail, energy, fiber optics, and transport infrastructure, linking Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan and Turkey directly, bypassing Iran and Russia.
- Armenia retains sovereignty over the corridor territory, which operates under Armenian law.
The peace deal opens historic opportunities for rapprochement between Türkiye and Armenia, increasing regional connectivity and economic cooperation. However, it comes with cautions about potential renewed tensions due to unresolved grievances and regional rivalries. Iran expressed cautious support for peace but warned against foreign interference that could destabilize regional security, reiterating concerns about the new corridor bypassing its influence. Russian officials welcomed peace but criticized U.S. involvement, indicating concerns over diminished influence in a traditionally Russian sphere.
The U.S.-brokered deal is seen as a strategic move by Washington to reduce Russian and Iranian influence in the South Caucasus by establishing a transit corridor under U.S. aegis that excludes those two countries. Despite Russian warnings, Armenia and Azerbaijan leaders assert the agreement is not targeted against any third party and can also benefit Russia and Iran through increased regional trade connections. Russia's reaction is cautious, recognizing the peace potential but wary of U.S. presence which could shift the regional balance of power and reduce Moscow’s leverage, especially given Russia’s alliance with Armenia and military presence there.
The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia was over Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory disputed since the Soviet era. The two countries have committed to stopping all fighting forever, opening up commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations, and respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The transit corridor will connect mainland Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan region.
President Sheikh Mohamed of the UAE emphasized that the country is trusted as a supporter of peace and diplomatic solutions. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, had demanded the creation of this transit corridor to end decades of conflict. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev thanked Donald Trump for hosting the peace summit and mentioned mutual investment, trade, energy, connectivity, transit, AI, defence, sales, and counter-terrorism as part of the US-Azerbaijan deal.
The US is attempting to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, positioning President Trump as a peacemaker, claiming to have ended five conflicts so far. However, the long-term success of the peace depends on managing local tensions and balancing the concerns of regional powers such as Russia and Iran.
- The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, brokered by the US, has implications that extend beyond the region, with news about it making headlines in general-news outlets around the world.
- The agreement commits both parties to a permanent cessation of hostilities, mutual respect for sovereignty, and the establishment of full diplomatic and trade relations, marking a significant step in international politics.
- According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, the peace agreement will have a positive impact on regional stability, especially in neighboring regions like Asia and Europe.
- One of the key details of the agreement is the establishment of a strategic transit corridor called TRIPP, which will connect Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan and Turkey directly, enhancing international travel and trade opportunities.
- While the deal opens opportunities for increased economic cooperation, particularly in sectors such as energy and AI, there are concerns about potential renewed tensions due to unresolved grievances and regional rivalries, as expressed by Iran and Russia.
- In a separate development, the US is also attempting to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, with President Trump positioning himself as a peacemaker.
- However, the long-term success of any peace agreement depends on managing local tensions and balancing the concerns of regional powers, as demonstrated by the complex dynamics involving Russia, Iran, and UAE in the war-and-conflicts zone of the South Caucasus.
